Shona Ellis

Faculty Profile

Professor of Teaching (2012), University of British ColumbiaSenior Instructor (2007 - 2012), University of British ColumbiaM.Sc. Plant Natural Products Chemistry (1993), University of British ColumbiaB.Sc. Botany (1985), University of British Columbia

Contact Information

Research Interests

My primary area of research was secondary products chemistry.As a plant tissue culturist I examined tissues derived in culture (including transgenic tissues) for the production of secondary metabolites and their precursors, and compared their chemical profiles with intact plant organs. For my masters research I examined the production of thiarubrines (dithiacyclohexadienne polyynes) in Ambrosia chamissonis, isolating and identifying two novel compounds and examining the potential of these compounds, and other thiarubrines, as medicinal agents.Assays however, revealed that the therapeutic and toxicity concentrations were too similar.

This project extended to screening a large number of plants that have traditional First Nations uses for antibiotic activity.We traveled around British Columbia collecting samples.The material was processed initially in a similar way to First Nations' preparation techniques. Extractions were then screened for antibacterial and antifungal activity.Extracts testing positive (antibacterial and antifungal) in the initial rounds were further fractionated and assayed.